Nominations offered from 3 sources??

damascus

5-Year Member
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Nov 9, 2009
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:mad:

I understand that some candidates may receive nominations from both of their state senators and their representative as well. This seems like such a waste.

I would think that the congressman's staff would compare lists to maximize nominations...it's a shame that some candidates end up with multiple nominations while others - who may be equally qualified - end up without a nomination. Sad. Any insight on this issue?
 
In many areas of the country, there are more nom slots than there are qualified candidates. Several years ago, USNA said there were 45 congressional districts that had 0 applicants -- let alone qualified applicants. So, if you live in North Dakota, for example, there may only be 8 folks in the entire state who want to attend USNA. Thus, they would likely get 3 noms.

Also, MOCs want to nominate the candidates they think are best. If they always "got together" so as to maximize the number of noms -- and one assumes that there would be a consensus as to the very best candidates -- it would come down to a race to nominate first.

IOW, if you were to assume there were 5 candidates in a state/district who were the very best, MOC #1 would select them. MOC #2 is now "stuck" having to nominate arguably "less qualified" candidates who might have a lesser shot of obtaining appointments. And MOC #3 gets the "leftovers" from the first two.

Thus, some MOCs -- even in super competitive areas -- say essentially, "I'm going to nominate the candidates I consider "best" regardless of whether they have another MOC nom."

We can all argue about the "fairness" of the latter approach. However, you'd need to take it up with the MOCs. Each of them makes his/her own decision; the SAs have no input in to what the MOCs decide and/or how they select their nominees.
 
Several years ago, USNA said there were 45 congressional districts that had 0 applicants

Just curious..... what happens to those slots? If there are no nominees from OK-03 let's say, does USNA appoint from the senatorial nom lists or do those slots get deferred to the waiting list?
 
...Thus, some MOCs -- even in super competitive areas -- say essentially, "I'm going to nominate the candidates I consider "best" regardless of whether they have another MOC nom."

We can all argue about the "fairness" of the latter approach. However, you'd need to take it up with the MOCs. Each of them makes his/her own decision; the SAs have no input in to what the MOCs decide and/or how they select their nominees.

Thanks for your quick response...and I understand what you've written.

We are arguably in the most competitive state for USNA - Maryland - and are dissapointed that the MOC's here haven't come up with a way to cooperatively maximize their nominations. In Maryland, considering the number of applicants, I am confident that the difference between the "best" and the next best is indistinguishable.

I would also hope that the SA's communicate with the MOC's so that the MOC's know which candidates are qualified. Some of the MOC's give nominations to candidates that are not qualifed (medically, for example) for the SA's. I understand the blind system - but again - the nominations are crucial and should be offered with great consideration with a view of the entire process.

Thanks for letting me vent.
 
Multiple nominations

Just because you have multiple nominations, doesn't mean you are offered an appointment. My DS has multiple and hasn't heard anything as of yet. All that means is that they have wiggle room as to what slate they offer him an appointment against if they decide they want him to be part of the class of 2017. Trust me, it is by no means a given, he understands that, and feels absolutely honored to be given the opportunity to compete for a slot.
 
Just curious..... what happens to those slots? If there are no nominees from OK-03 let's say, does USNA appoint from the senatorial nom lists or do those slots get deferred to the waiting list?

The MOC slots go vacant for that year. However, it increases the number of applicants from the national pool who can be offered appointments by . . . in this case . . . 45. So, instead of an appointment from that district, an "extra" person from some other district will get the nod. Of course, the converse is also true. As USNA tries to broaden its geographic diversity (which is a primary goal), the number of appointees from those other/"more competitive" districts goes down.

To a few other points above . . .

The fact you have multiple noms, even from a competitive state/district, is not necessarily determinative. I live in a very competitive area and more than once have had candidates with multiple noms receive turndowns. Why? Hard to say. Could be that USNA sees things that the MOCs don't (i.e., teacher recs). Could be that USNA weights things differently. Could be that an "average" candidate knocked it out of the park in an MOC interview.

Finally, I agree that it can be very frustrating for candidates in super-competitive areas to learn that some candidates have multiple noms. You can thank your MOCs.:rolleyes: If you want to understand their logic, you could always ask them at some sort of citizens' forum -- other than that, there's no way of knowing.
 
Each senator and congressional SA panel goes through hundreds if not thousands of highly qualified applications. They have different deadlines and time tables. They also may or may not designate a principal so there's so many variables. As it has been advised numerous times, do your best in submitting all the requirements and attempt to get the best scores in your SAT/ACT and CFA. Do not worry about stuff that's beyond your control. Even after the MOCs have deliberated by committee to nominate a candidate, the AFA still have to sift through and finalize their appointment list. If they deem that you're worthy, there'll be a BFE arriving soon. Good luck!
 
No Nomination

My DS received an LOA from USNA, 3Qs, attended NASS, but was not able to secure a nomination! He applied to all qualify nomination sources. The last MOC invited only qualified candidate for interview and my DS was 1 of <20 to be interview for USNA. I cannot imagine there were more than 10 USNA LOA candidates in those 20s, since he was the last MOC to interview SA candidate in the state. Some candidates did not show up for interview, as they already received an offer from USNA from other MOC. From our correspondence with the MOC staff, this is purely my speculation. The MOC wants to maximize the number of state citizen to attend USNA. He nominated X number of qualify candidates without LOA, once he received the word from USNA has offer a candidate to fill up his 1 slate, he would nominate all those with LOA, since LOA recipient will get the appointment without any cost the MOC slate, from what I understand. We're not sure what happen, he miss calculate or the dead line, but regardless. We are disappointed and waiting for VP nomination, which is nonexistence. Plan B and C we go!
 
So sorry. Yours is a painful story. Trust that your son's Creator has a better plan or route. Don't give up just yet, work those ancillary plans. Did you support your MOC's opposition in the last election?
 
[The MOC]would nominate all those with LOA, since LOA recipient will get the appointment without any cost the MOC slate, from what I understand

To my knowledge this is not the case. If an MOC nominates multiple LOA candidates, one is likely to be charged to him/her. The others will be charged to other sources, such as Presidential (if applicable), SecNav, etc. However, to your point, all of the LOA candidates the MOC nominates will, if medically and CFA qualified, be appointed.

I have seen MOCs who do not always nominate LOA candidates. In the past, it might have been out of a mistaken belief that the SA would "find" a nom for all LOA candidates. Now -- hard to know. Some may still hold this belief. Also, USNA offers LOAs based largely on "paper." That person may not do well in an MOC interview (not saying this happened to the above poster's child, only that it can happen). Or there could be other reasons -- only the MOC knows for certain.
 
Disappointed For You SR-71

SR-71,

I am disappointed for you and your DS too :thumbdown: I can only imagine your DS' disappointment. Hopefully the VP slate can secure him a nomination so the LOA can kick in.

Damascus,
Many MOC's coordinate but not all do. Here in our state the two senators coordinate with each other but will nominate those who may also have already gotten a local Congressional Rep nomination. This is how my DS has received both USNA and USMA nominations.

BTW, the USNA appointee from my son's slate was announced and it was not him: NWL or TWE.
 
Whistle Pig:

I thought this whole nomination process is non-political! I’m so naive!! We are nameless, but do have our own political believe, which may not align with the MOC. DS loves to be of service to our country, but through difference channels now, instead of through the Navy! He will do well wherever he choose to go.
 
Whistle Pig:

I thought this whole nomination process is non-political! I’m so naive!! We are nameless, but do have our own political believe, which may not align with the MOC. DS loves to be of service to our country, but through difference channels now, instead of through the Navy! He will do well wherever he choose to go.

I'm confident he will! What a blessing to have such a son! Well dones to him and his parents!

As for the "politics" of the process? Who knows. This has been bandied about with no answers beyond anecdotes. But stories like yours might lead to wondering.

If he finds the Navy attractive, there are other entry points.
 
I don't know about your area, but in mine (RI) it seems to be pretty non-politicized. Case in point, I am a registered Republican, from a heavily Republican area of the state, my congressman and both senators are Democrats, and all three nominated me to USNA. I'm guessing it varies by area, and in a place more competitve than mine, political connections probably count for more.
 
egri ... just curious ... how many MOCs there are in "poor little Rhode Island! The smallest of the 48!"
 
WP- There are two: David Cicilline, who was reelected with a 15% approval rating, and Jim Langevin, who represents my district.
 
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